Hewer said that he would happily return to his hosting position on the show, adding that people his age know they need to be responsible in protecting themselves from the virus.

"I will go back happily to the studio if not cautiously – I will keep my distance. But nothing will stop Countdown," he said.

"You can trust over-70s to be responsible, they know their vulnerability."

Countdown airs on Channel 4.

The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

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